An Iowa State University study concludes music with violent lyrics increases aggressive thoughts and feelings in listeners. The study used a series of experiments with more than 500 college students to examine the effects of seven violent songs and eight non-violent songs by the same artists. Students listened to the songs and were given psychological tasks that measured aggressive thoughts and feelings. “Content matters,” according to Dr. Craig Anderson, who chairs I-S-U’s psychology department. He says the study challenges the popular belief that watching, reading or singing about anger reduces or “vents” aggressive impulses. He says kids who say they feel better after listening to violent lyrics are mistaken, as he says the evidence is “absolutely overwhelming” that they become more aggressive.People who listen to violent content, play violent video games or watch violent shows, it will increase aggressive thinking and behavior, while “pro-social” content will have a more positive impact. He says that message is important to parents of young children and teens, but he says moms and dads should -not- try to regulate entire genres of music. Anderson says parents shouldn’t try to shield kids from any particular type of music, adding heavy metal and rap, for example, are full of pro-social or positive lyrics. For production purposes — samples of music used in wrap:
